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Overview

We are BLG: Canada’s Law Firm. Our culture is one of vigilance and curiosity, Firm-wide collaboration,unfailing mutual respect and dedication. We pride ourselves on having standout talent and delivering anexceptional client experience.

Our Firm

As the largest, truly full-service Canadian law firm, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG) delivers practical legal advice for domestic and international clients across more practices and industries than any Canadian firm. With over 725 lawyers, intellectual property agents and other professionals, BLG serves the legal needs of businesses and institutions across Canada and beyond.

Over 725 legal professionals across Canada

With over 725 lawyers, patent and trademark agents, notaries and paralegals, we assemble the best team to deliver practical legal advice to domestic and international businesses and organizations. Whatever your issue, our professionals work with you to assess your needs and provide tailored business advice.

Canada’s first law firm

Our firm has a rich history that goes back to 1823. Building on our heritage and culture, we seize opportunities and overcome challenges.

Recognized law firm and professionals

Year after year, the most reputable national and international legal publications rank our firm and our lawyers among the top legal professionals and law firms in Canada.

Expertise that’s wide and deep

From autonomous vehicles to cannabis, liability to privacy legislation, BLG has the expertise to help your business navigate – and take advantage of – an ever-changing legal landscape at home and around the world.

Clients of all sizes

Our clients are multi-national corporations with offices overseas, leading universities, major health systems, national charities, and governments at all levels. But there’s also a special place in our hearts for ambitious startups, especially those led by women, that we support with innovative programs.

Balance between corporate law and disputes resolution

Our skilled professionals advise clients on a broad range of matters, from corporate law to disputes resolution. Our clients benefit from having the necessary expertise to answer all of their legal issues within one firm.

Strong international portfolio

We offer a comprehensive range of strategic services on all aspects of international activities and we have experience representing clients in many different locations across the globe. We also have long-standing relationships with law firms that are leaders in their jurisdictions, allowing us to provide a seamless client-centric approach.

Diversity that comes from the top

First major law firm in Canada to appoint a full-time director of diversity and inclusion. We’re building a culture that embraces and encourages different experiences and viewpoints — which ultimately leads to better
outcomes for our clients.

Giving back feels great

BLG supports more than 200 organizations every year. Our pro bono legal work supports those in our communities who need it most. Our very own national literacy program, BLG Reads to Kids, has been running for 15 years and involves more than 300 of our employees.

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Professional Expertise

The American College of Trial Lawyers

Founded in 1950, the American College of Trial Lawyers comprises the best of the trial bar from the United States and Canada. Fellowship in the College is by invitation only to experienced trial lawyers who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. BLG is currently home to 13 fellows:

The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb.) is a leading professional membership organization for over 13,000 alternative dispute practitioners around the world. Fellowship is given to those who complete the highest levels of CIArb.’s training program, or meet equivalent standards, and demonstrate the required level of experience. BLG is currently home to 7 fellows:

Our History

On March 1, 2000, five regional law firms leaders in their market merged to create the national firm of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG).

Howard Mackie
The Calgary firm of Howard Mackie was founded in 1888 and was one of the largest in Western Canada. At the time of the merger, the firm employed 150 people including 66 professionals. Howard Mackie was closely associated with Calgary’s emergence as an international business centre, and was actively involved in local, national, and international corporate transactions generated by the city’s thriving business community.

McMaster Gervais
The Montréal firm of McMaster Gervais was established in 1823. At the time of the merger, McMaster Gervais was the longest established law firm in Canada employing 280 people including 110 professionals. The bilingual firm was a result of a 1998 merger of McMaster Meighen and Mackenzie Gervais. Its history is interwoven with the industrial, maritime, financial, and economic development of Montréal and the rest of Canada. McMaster Gervais’ lawyers were instrumental during the formation of the Canadian railway system and in the growth of the country’s major transportation, finance, and trade industries.

Scott & Aylen
Scott & Aylen, a fully bilingual law firm in Ottawa, was founded in 1952 and a business association with Borden & Elliot in 1999. At the time of the merger, the firm employed 168 people including 62 professionals. The firm pioneered a multi-disciplinary partnership approach which brings lawyers, patent agents, and trademark agents together under one roof to provide a full spectrum of legal and intellectual property services to Canadian and international clients.

Borden & Elliot
The Toronto firm of Borden & Elliot was founded in 1936 by lawyers Henry Borden and Beverly V. Elliot. Over the next three decades, the firm experienced rapid expansion resulting in many name changes; however, the firm name was changed back to Borden & Elliot in 1973. At the time of the merger, Borden & Elliot employed 668 people including more than 230 professionals. The firm was one of Canada’s most prominent full-service law offices with one of the largest litigation practices in the country, and was a leader in a number of specialized practice areas.

Ladner Downs
The Vancouver firm of Ladner Downs was founded in 1911. At the time of the merger, the firm employed 318 people including 110 professionals. Ladner Downs was involved in transactions and developments in every major sector of B.C.’s economy including forestry, mining, energy, transportation, technology, manufacturing, and commercial real estate.

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